Mynydd Bodafon
| Yr Arwydd | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 584 ft (178 m) |
| Prominence | 584 ft (178 m) |
| Parent peak | none - HP Anglesey |
| Listing | Marilyn |
| Naming | |
| Translation | the signal (Welsh) |
| Pronunciation | Welsh: [ər ˈarwɪð] |
| Geography | |
| Location | Anglesey, Wales |
| OS grid | SH472854 |
| Topo map | OS Landranger 114 |
Mynydd Bodafon (Bodafon Mountain) is a small collection of peaks including the Arwydd (The Sign or signal) which is the highest point on the island of Anglesey (although not in the county of Anglesey — see Holyhead Mountain). It lies about 2½ miles west of the coastal town of Moelfre and ⅔ of a mile south-west of the hamlet of Brynrefail. The meaning of Bodafon is obscure. Bod is a common placename element meaning 'dwelling' and afon here is probably a corruption of the personal name A(e)ddan (afon is Welsh for 'river' but topography rules that out).[1]
The walk to the top of Yr Arwydd is not a particularly difficult one and can be done by anyone with a reasonable level of fitness. The true summit of Mynydd Bodafon though lies further south past the lake. There is a small lake, called Cors Fawr (the big marsh) which contains rudd, roach and recently pike. There were two lakes on either side of the road originally but one is now a covered reservoir. The lake is spring fed but local legend suggests it is connected to lakes within Snowdonia, and that it ois bottomless. he hill. To the east of the hill is found an Iron Age called Cwtiau Gwyddelod (Irishman's huts)earthwork.
The wildlife is dictated by the heathland habitat, different heathers, two types of gorse, cotton grass, bog asphodel, tormentil etc. There are adders, lizards, stone chats, peregrine, chough and cuckoos (there is an old local song about the cuckoo on Bodafon) etc. Heron, coot and ducks are in the lake and water rail are occasionally seen or heard. A rare form of pillwort exists in the lake. Mynydd Bodafon holds a special place in druidic and spiritual history
Although the name Mynydd Bodafon may refer to the hill itself, it is also the name for the wider geographical area, which is part of the Penrhoslligwy parish. Traditionally an old fashioned Welsh area, it still feels like it is a few decades behind much of the rest of Anglesey. People wave to passers by. The area is popular with visitors but still quiet when the rest of the island seems busy.
The area is mostly common land with about 13 houses having rights to graze. However, rabbits tend to be the only grazing animals currently and parts of the heath are reverting to pioneer woodland because of that. There are occasional fires that sweep across the heathland but these are often at the wrong tie of year and subsequently encourage bracken.
References
- ↑ Melville Richards, Atlas Môn (Llangefni, 1972).